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Astronomy/Photographing the earth from space

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Expert: - 12/31/2005


Question
Howdy do. If one were in geostationary orbit, hanging out with all the cool satellites, and one were equipped with a regular digital camera, what size would the earth be in the frame of the photograph?

Hmm.
--
Olly

Answer
Hi Olly,

Since the geostationary satellite is 26,000 miles up, and the earth is about 8000 miles in diameter, that's the same as being 26 feet away from an 8 foot object (that's just a ratio).  Or, about 3 feet away from a 1 foot object.  In my digital camera, that just about fills the frame (I can make it slightly smaller or bigger than the frame by zooming).  So, to answer your question, the earth would just fill the frame.

Cheers,

Prof. James Gort  

Astronomy

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James Gort

Expertise

Questions on observational astronomy, optics, and astrophysics. Specializing in the evolution of stars, variable stars, supernovae, neuton stars/pulsars, black holes, quasars, and cosmology.

Experience

I was a professional astronomer (University of Texas, McDonald Observatory), lecturer at the Adler Planetarium, professor of astrophysics, and amateur astronomer for 42 years. I have made numerous telescopes, and I am currently building one of the largest private observatories in Canada.

Publications
StarDate, University of Texas, numerous Journal Publications

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